Light regulates alternative splicing outcomes via the TOR kinase pathway

For plants, light is the source of energy and the most relevant regulator of growth and adaptations to the environment by inducing changes in gene expression at various levels, including alternative splicing. Light-triggered chloroplast retrograde signals control alternative splicing in Arabidopsis thaliana. Here, we provide evidence that light regulates the expression of a core set of splicing-related factors in roots. Alternative splicing responses in roots are not directly caused by light but are instead most likely triggered by photo-synthesized sugars. The target of rapamycin (TOR) kinase plays a key role in this shoot-to-root signaling pathway. Knocking down TOR expression or pharmacologically inhibiting TOR activity disrupts the alternative splicing responses to light and exogenous sugars in roots. Consistently, splicing decisions are modulated by mitochondrial activity in roots. In conclusion, by activating the TOR pathway, sugars act as mobile signals to coordinate alternative splicing responses to light throughout the whole plant.

Automated summary

This research reveals that light regulates the expression of splicing-related factors in the roots of plants and that alternative splicing responses in roots are likely triggered by photosynthesized sugars. The TOR kinase plays a crucial role in the shoot-to-root signaling pathway, and mitochondrial activity modulates splicing decisions in roots. By activating the TOR pathway, sugars act as mobile signals to coordinate alternative splicing responses to light throughout the whole plant.